Red-shafted Northern Flicker

This feather belongs to the Northern Flicker, a large, terrestrial woodpecker. Unlike many woodpeckers, flickers frequently forage on the ground for ants. The 'Red-shafted' variety is stunning in flight, showing a flash of warm red under the wings and tail, contrasting with its barred brown back and spotted underparts.

Brilliant salmon-pink to reddish-orange on the ventral side and shaft (rachis), with a dark brownish-black dorsal surface and terminal area. This 'red-shafted' coloration is diagnostic for the western subspecies.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for flight efficiency, with a small plumulaceous section near the base of the calamus.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat glossy on the upper surface; the underside has a satin-like finish that reflects the carotenoid pigments vividly.

The distinctive reddish-pink rachis (shaft) combined with the dark brownish-black vane is the primary diagnostic feature of the Red-shafted subspecies.

Open woodlands, forest edges, savannas, orchards, and urban parks with mature trees suitable for nesting and foraging.

Common throughout Western North America, from Alaska and Canada down through the United States to Mexico; largely migratory in the northern parts of its range.

Flickers are primary cavity nesters, creating holes that are later used by dozens of other species (secondary cavity nesters) such as owls, bluebirds, and squirrels.

Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker (which has bright yellow shafts) and the Gilded Flicker (which has yellow shafts but a different range/habitat).

The Northen Flicker is one of the few North American woodpeckers that is strongly migratory. They are also known for 'drumming' on metal objects like chimneys to declare territory.

Good; the vane appears intact with minimal fraying, suggesting it was naturally molted recently or came from a healthy adult bird.